The Seven Churches

Beyond the shores of Ros a' Mhíl, there lies Inis Mor, the largest of the Aran Islands. The many scattered ruins which crop up among the crags of limestone and the neatly divided patchwork fields seem to outnumber the handful of quiet but friendly natives who call the island their home. If one has a mind to, they can walk from the tiny harbor along narrow and winding roads to the opposite end of the island where Na Seacht dTeampaill crouches in the hollow of a tiny valley. The area is silent and still with only the crash of surf and the distant chirp of local songbirds as company. Myriad grave stones as old as the 9th century hint to a long history as a place of pilgrimage for countless devout worshipers who have ventured to this isolated place. The ruins of the churches are a wonder to behold and stir a great movement of the soul to any who come to them.

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This is the first of MANY photos I have already taken. I am sitting in a small room here in the town of Dingle and am gloriously happy. Already I've seen more than I thought possible. I hope you enjoy this photo as I thoroughly enjoyed the actual ruins. The history is just amazing. I have posted it below so you can read about the site and if you ever get a chance to get to Ireland, I tell you now not to skip the Aran Islands. They made the trip worth it already.

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Situated in the west of Inis Mór at the village of Eoghanacht the seven churches or Dísert Bhreacáin as it is also known was for centuries one of the biggest monastic foundations and centres of pilgrimage along the west coast of Ireland. Breacan is believed to have come here in the earliest period from Kilbrecan near Quin in County Clare. Tradition on the island has it that his foundation rivalled St Enda’s foundation in the east of the island. Indeed the two saints are held to have eventually agreed to divide the island between them. Although termed ‘ the seven churches’ there are in fact only two churches with a number of domestic buildings. The title seven is possibly an allusion to the pilgrimage circuit of Rome which incorporated seven churches.
Teampall Bhreacáin( St Brecan’s Church) is a large multi period church c. 8th-13th century. It contains fine massive masonary with an impressive arch, nave and chancel. An inscribed stone in the west gable reads ‘ OR AR 11 CANOIN’ ‘ Pray for the Two Canons’. Teampall an Phoill ‘ (the Church of the Hollow) is a 15th century church smaller and simpler in style. The remains of a number of penitential beds and fragments of decorated crosses are also to be found on site most notably Leaba Bhreacáin and leaba an Spioraid Naoimh. There are also a number of interesting cross inscribed stones and graves in the south east corner of the site. One of these has the words ‘ V11 ROMANI’ The Seven Romans written on it and another has Tomas AP( Thomas the Apostle). There used be two Holy Wells -now enclosed-Tobar an Spioraid Naoimh and Tobar Bhreacáin on site.